Register: As soon as it's open. You'll be able to register online; via mail by October 17; or at packet pick-up. In a rare reversal, online registration is $15 and mail-in/pick-up registration is $20.

And, as an extra bonus, the first 100 people to register online will be able to register for FREE.

The 5k course is flat and fast; Strands is one sponsor company that understands runners and running.

The elite race and the citizens (community/all-comers) race will start at 9a, with a kid's race starting at 10a.

Now about the $13,000 purse. It's reserved for U.S. citizens, and will be awarded to both men and women in this distribution:

1st: $3,0002nd: $1,5003rd: $7504th: $6005th: $4006th: $250

One of the event organizers, Matt Downin, has local ties to the Willamette Valley. His brother is Eugene Marathon RD Andy Downin. Matt Downin, an elite marathoner, explains why they've organized this race to attract families, recreational runners, and elites:

"I come from New England, and on any weekend in the Northeast from March to December, a runner can find a great road race that is competitive and allows them a chance to earn a little money. I think it's important for the development of our young runners, that they see some of these good runners racing locally. I also think that without races like this, some road racers and young aspiring distance runners would have a hard time earning a living so they could keep training for the next Olympics or something. I am so happy that we can bring this race here, to the Northwest, where there are so many great runners who normally have to leave the region to find great road races."

And there are great runners that plan to race for both the men's and women's races. Eugene's Sally Meyerhoff, who won the women's 10,000m at the Portland Track Festival and competed at the USATF National Outdoor Championships; and Kelly Jaske, who finished 3rd at the USATF National Half Marathon Championships plan to be there. On the men's side, runners like Matt Downin; Josh Glaab, who ran a 65:01 at the USATF Half Marathon Championships; and Jonathan Riley, who ran the 5,000m in the Athens Olympic Games in 2004, are likely to be lining up.

So, now you just need to decide: race? Or watch the elite race unfold?